Maharashtra Plans New Pod Taxi Route to Ease Traffic and Enhance Connectivity

Mumbai, February 19, 2025: In a significant development aimed at alleviating urban traffic congestion and enhancing connectivity across key areas, the Maharashtra government has confirmed plans to introduce a new pod taxi route connecting Mira-Bhayandar with Thane-Ghodbunder. This initiative is part of the state’s ongoing efforts to implement innovative solutions for seamless transport in urban spaces, especially in high-density regions.

On Tuesday, State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who had just returned from Vadodara, confirmed the plans for the new pod taxi route. Sarnaik, accompanied by the Transport Commissioner and other senior officials, visited the Futran Experience Centre in Vadodara. The Futran system, a product of Nutran EV Mobility, is a promising solution designed to tackle congestion with its state-of-the-art technology.

“We have evaluated the potential of the Futran pod car system in multiple corridors across Maharashtra, with an immediate focus on the Mira-Bhayandar route. This system is designed to operate 24/7 and promises to decongest urban traffic,” said Sarnaik.

The Futran system, which is at the heart of this ambitious plan, is a Make in India initiative. With 70% of its components already manufactured domestically, the system promises to deliver a cost-effective and sustainable solution for urban mobility. The government aims to achieve 85% local production by 2028, further ensuring its long-term feasibility.

The pod car system is designed with compact stations, small turning radii, and the ability to be seamlessly integrated into existing metro networks, making it an ideal addition to urban transport infrastructure. It is designed to operate at speeds of 60-70 kmph, carrying up to 20 passengers per pod, and can transport over 15,000 passengers per direction per hour. Additionally, the system incorporates an onboard collision avoidance system for enhanced safety.

Each pod car runs on electric motors and battery systems, operating round the clock, and is expected to help connect metro stations with various source and destination points, addressing the transportation needs of Mumbai and its surrounding areas.

This new initiative also emphasizes the potential of the Futran system to integrate with other public transport services, boosting the usage of Mumbai’s metro system and reducing road congestion. With a compact track and station design, the system promises minimal disruption during installation, requiring only small pillars less than one meter square for support.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has appointed Sai Green Mobility Private Limited from Hyderabad as the concessionaire for the pod taxi project in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). This project, which also follows the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is set to become a key part of Mumbai’s urban transport landscape.

With the successful deployment of this technology, the state government envisions addressing the city's persistent traffic woes while providing a modern, sustainable, and efficient means of transportation.

As part of the ongoing developments, authorities are optimistic about the pod taxi's role in streamlining transit systems and providing an eco-friendly alternative to the ever-increasing traffic in metropolitan areas like Mumbai.